NCJ Number
210160
Date Published
2003
Length
31 pages
Annotation
Developed as part of the technical assistance provided by the Juvenile Sanctions Center (JSC) under its Graduated Sanctions Project, this monograph notes the lessons learned during the first 18 months (Phases I and II of the multiyear project) of the project's implementation in 10 demonstration sites, identifies promising approaches, and presents recommendations for the field as future sites are established.
Abstract
The monograph first provides background information on the JSC and its project start-up, followed by a description of the training and technical assistance provided at demonstration sites. Preliminary conclusions after 18 months of project implementations are that the demonstration sites are capable of identifying and addressing their own problems and systems issues; that the role of the JSC has emerged as facilitation rather than direction during the action planning process; and that the site juvenile justice systems and their communities are capable of reducing or eliminating traditional barriers to communication and collaboration. Other conclusions are that local jurisdictions are willing and able to shift or consolidate existing monies to support project completion; and a graduated sanctions initiative can be self-perpetuating when local leaders mentor future generations of project participants. The monograph recommends that each site develop a core team, led by a juvenile court judge, which would provide leadership throughout the planning and implementation phases of a graduated sanctions project. This team should be balanced between systems and community representative and public and private service providers. The foundation for action planning should be all modules of the JSC's training curriculum, "Graduated Sanctions for Juvenile Offenders: A Training curriculum Guide." By the conclusion of the project, a continuum of graduated responses to juvenile offenders should be in place at all levels of graduated sanctioning. By the conclusion of Phase III in 2004, issues in secure custody and reentry should be addressed.